EU backs use of peace monitors in South Ossetia

THE European Union yesterday backed the deployment of peacekeeping monitors to Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia to supervise a ceasefire between Russia and Georgia after days of heavy fighting.

“The EU is ready to engage, including on the ground, to support the efforts of the United Nations and the OSCE,” Development Minister Peter Power said after an emergency EU meeting in Brussels.

A Nato spokeswoman said the United States had requested a meeting of alliance foreign ministers on the Georgia crisis.

The conflict opened a diplomatic gulf between the United States and Britain, who condemned Moscow’s “blatant aggression”, and France, Italy and Germany, who were careful to avoid criticising Russia, a key energy supplier and business partner.